What Foods Contain Adipic Acid?

by Krista Sheehan

Adipic acid gives gelatin its tart flavor and gel-like shape.

Providing tart taste, gel-like shape, firm texture and fizzy flavors, adipic acid is a rather flexible food additive. Although it’s found naturally in a few foods, most of the adipic acid found in the food supply is synthetic. Although adipic acid has been approved for safe consumption since 1965, some people try to avoid this and other food additives altogether. In that case, it’s important to know which foods contain synthetic adipic acid.

Identification

An organic compound made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, adipic acid is considered a dicarboxylic acid, according to The Chemical Company website. It’s used in a variety of industrial and textile applications, such as to manufacture lubricants and nylon production. It can be found in carpet, automobile tires and clothing. The Chemical Company website explains that a majority of adipic acid production is used in these industrial applications. The other 10 percent is made specifically for use in foods and beverages.

Adipic Acid for Flavor

Adipic acid is naturally found in beets and sugar cane. The synthetic version of adipic acid is commonly added as the main acid in bottled drinks, giving them a bubbly fizz. It also adds a tart flavor to fruit juice and gelatin. The organic acid is used in many powdered food and drink mixes to provide a sweet flavor. Adipic acid might also be found in imitation flavor extracts, dairy products, tart condiments like pickles and relish and throat lozenges.

Adipic Acid for Texture

Along with adding tartness, adipic acid allows jam, gelatin and jelly to hold their jiggly shapes. It gives a firm texture to some types of cheese and serves as a leavening agent in baking powder, cake mixes and baked goods. Adipic acid is also frequently added to edible oils, prolonging the time it takes for them to become rancid.

What to Look For

The United States requires food manufacturers to clearly identify food additives used in their products. When adipic acid is used in a food product, it must be clearly identified in the ingredient list by its name or code number. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization and World Health Organization Food Standards website, adipic acid might be listed in the ingredient list as food additive 355.

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About the Author

Krista Sheehan is a registered nurse and professional writer. She works in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and her previous nursing experience includes geriatrics, pulmonary disorders and home health care. Her professional writing works focus mainly on the subjects of physical health, fitness, nutrition and positive lifestyle changes.

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